{"id":35246,"date":"2023-06-06T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T09:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/?p=35246"},"modified":"2023-08-24T16:14:37","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T16:14:37","slug":"why-is-my-oil-change-symbol-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/why-is-my-oil-change-symbol-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Oil Change Symbol on \u2013 A Guide to Oil Warning Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It can be alarming when you notice that your car\u2019s oil change symbol is on. And not knowing why your vehicle is displaying the warning light can be nerve-wracking. Dashboard lights usually indicate something is wrong inside your car, and it\u2019s never nice to imagine that you might face costly repairs soon.<\/p>\n<p>However, the oil change symbol light is generally less alarming than other dashboard indicators. While the light can sometimes indicate a serious underlying issue, it\u2019s usually illuminated as a friendly reminder from your car to keep up with regular maintenance. Knowing how to discern serious situations from a simple oil change reminder will help keep your vehicle in the best condition.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Is My Oil Change Symbol On?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35248\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2.jpg\" alt=\"Why Is My Oil Change Symbol On\" width=\"625\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2-100x68.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image004-2-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are a few reasons why the engine oil change symbol will turn on in vehicles. The most common cause is that your car needs an oil change. Sometimes, the light might turn on because your vehicle is leaking oil. And in extreme cases, it can indicate that your engine isn\u2019t getting the correct lubrication.<\/p>\n<p>You can sometimes discern why your oil change symbol is on by paying attention to the color. <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/vehicle-warning-lights-to-pay-attention-to\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Red or flashing oil change lights<\/a><\/u> typically indicate that immediate action is needed, while yellow or orange lights are commonly used to bring attention to minor issues. Before assuming that your car uses the same light colors, of course, it\u2019s essential to check your owner\u2019s manual and verify your vehicle&#8217;s indications.<\/p>\n<h3>Your Car Needs An Oil Change<\/h3>\n<p>The most common reason your oil change symbol might turn on is that your car needs an engine oil change. As long as you maintain regular maintenance and heed your car\u2019s warnings, there\u2019s no need to be seriously concerned about an oil change. You should use the oil dipstick to verify that your vehicle can drive and schedule the oil change as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping up with engine oil changes is essential. Your car relies on having the proper amount and quality of oil to keep the engine&#8217;s internal components lubricated and functional. By taking your vehicle in for regular maintenance and oil changes, you can ensure that your car will continue to perform optimally.<\/p>\n<h3>Your Car Is Low On Oil<\/h3>\n<p>In some cases, cars have been known to display the oil change symbol because they\u2019re running low on oil. This can happen for various reasons, such as broken gaskets or a damaged oil filler cap. Low oil is a serious concern regardless of what\u2019s causing the oil to leak.<\/p>\n<p>If your car doesn\u2019t have enough oil, the internal components can quickly malfunction and suffer permanent damage. If you notice oily spots or other signs of a leak around your engine, consult a professional to replace your engine oil and seal the leak.<\/p>\n<h3>Your Car Has Low Oil Pressure<\/h3>\n<p>Low oil pressure is the worst possible scenario that can cause your oil warning light. Low oil pressure occurs as a result of extreme oil leaking. Unfortunately, it can quickly cause catastrophic damage to vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Your car relies on an engine with many small internal components to move. When your vehicle has low oil pressure, these internal components aren\u2019t receiving the necessary amount of lubrication. As friction and heat build up within the engine, the engine may begin to break internally. If you notice that your car has a low oil pressure light, stop driving immediately and seek professional assistance.<\/p>\n<h3>Your Car Has A Faulty Oil Pump Or Pressure Gauge<\/h3>\n<p>While less common than other causes of oil change symbol illumination, faulty oil pumps and pressure gauges have been known to cause the light to turn on. You should suspect this issue if you notice that your car\u2019s oil level appears normal and that servicing didn\u2019t resolve the issue.<\/p>\n<p>If you believe your car might have a faulty oil pump or pressure gauge, you must work with a technician to verify the issue. Diagnostics like a mechanical oil pressure test can be used to confirm that one of the components is malfunctioning.<\/p>\n<h2>When Should I Be Concerned About The Oil Change Symbol Turning On?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image006-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35249\" src=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image006-2.jpg\" alt=\"When Should I Be Concerned About The Oil Change Symbol Turning On\" width=\"625\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image006-2.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image006-2-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image006-2-360x210.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you notice that your <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/what-do-some-of-the-safety-signals-on-the-dashboard-mean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oil change indicator<\/a><\/u> is on, you should immediately take the issue seriously. While the light turning on isn\u2019t always dangerous, there is extreme potential for your car to suffer catastrophic engine damage if you make the wrong judgment.<\/p>\n<p>The most important thing you can do if you notice that your oil change symbol is illuminated is to check your oil level. Pull over as soon as you can safely do so, turning on your hazard lights if necessary, and use the oil dipstick to check the oil.<\/p>\n<p>If your oil dipstick is unusually dry, you should stop driving immediately and have your vehicle towed for repair. Driving while your oil is catastrophically low almost guarantees your vehicles engine will suffer damage. As you drive the car, you will also be at risk of serious injury.<\/p>\n<h2>What To Do About Oil Change Symbol On<\/h2>\n<p>If your oil change symbol turns on, you should take all the necessary precautions as you work with an experienced mechanic to address the underlying issue. In many cases, your car may only need an oil change before it\u2019s back to functioning perfectly as intended. In other cases, you may need to address an oil leak or make some serious repairs.<\/p>\n<p>While visiting the mechanic can be intimidating, it\u2019s one of the most crucial things you can do to maintain your vehicle and guarantee your safety. That rings particularly true when it comes to the oil change light, as a lack of oil can quickly cause serious damage.<\/p>\n<h2>Diligently Take Care Of Your Vehicle<\/h2>\n<p>It is often stressful when your vehicle begins displaying warning lights on the dashboard. It is always tempting to assume that there\u2019s nothing to worry about, but you should always take heed of the warnings your car offers. With the <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.safetyrestore.com\/blog\/why-your-car-needs-regular-repair-and-maintenance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">proper care routine<\/a><\/u>, your vehicle can feasibly deliver top performance for years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It can be alarming when you notice that your car\u2019s oil change symbol is on. And not knowing why your vehicle is displaying the warning light can be nerve-wracking. Dashboard lights usually indicate something is wrong inside your car, and it\u2019s never nice to imagine that you might face costly&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v14.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Is My Oil Change Symbol on \u2013 A Guide to Oil Warning Lights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It can be alarming when you notice that your car\u2019s oil change symbol is on. 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